Sony 'running jump' ad derailed

Objections from transport staff have prompted Sony into removing posters advocating that consumers "take a running jump" from a number of tram and tube stations across the UK.

The PSP promos were pulled from "inappropriate" sites after a worker on Manchester's Metrolink light rail system raised concerns after spotting the ad (which features red text on a plain white background) at the city's Piccadilly station.

"An employee spotted it and said it was a bit inappropriate," a Network Rail spokesman told the Manchester Evening News. "The message goes completely against all our safety messages, particularly because PlayStation is aimed at youngsters and we are constantly telling them not to trespass."

Sony's poster campaign was designed to promote the "portability and multi-functionality of the console", a spokesman told GamesIndustry.biz. The firm says it has pulled posters from unfitting locations in response to concerns. The offending posters are one strand of a wider campaign due to end Saturday (11 March). ®